A
common planthopper which is usually brachypterous. Males are
distinctive with a dark abdomen and pale forewings which have a
dark spot at the tip of the clavus. In addition, the genital segment is
strongly extended backwards and the apical margin is deeply emarginate
(unlike the rarer upland species D. divergens).

Females are less easy to identify, although the keels on the face
are useful features. These are evenly spaced across the vertex and the
median keel is forked in the upper part of the frons.

Occurs on various grasses in
moist or dry sites;
widespread and common across
England, Wales and southern Scotland. Adult: May to September
Length 3.0-4.5 mm